Flagpole Photographers Camera Club will kick off March with a special program, “The Art of Black and White Photography,” presented by Lewis Katz, instructor for the Smithsonian Associates and John Hopkins Odyssey programs.

The presentation will take place both virtually and in person at Newtown Senior Center, 8 Simpson Street, beginning at 7:30 pm Thursday, March 13.

The program will offer a distinctive blend of the “how to” and the “why and when,” setting it apart from other classes on the subject. The presentation will open with a brief review of iconic works by master photographers and then cover essential topics such as pattern, texture, shape, and light.

Katz will also dive into color theory, explaining its role in creating dramatic black and white images. He will demonstrate live, using Lightroom and Nik software, to show how to produce both visually striking and emotionally powerful black and white conversions. The evening will wrap up with a Q&A session.

On Thursday, March 27, the club will host its monthly competition night, featuring members’ work across categories such as Nature, Open Color, Open Monochrome, Assigned Subject, and the Monthly Challenge. This month’s competition theme is Street Photography, with the Monthly Challenge centered on Shoes.

That event will also be both online and in person at Newtown Senior Center, starting at 7:30 pm, with social time beginning at 7.

Flagpole Photographers Camera Club is a local nonprofit organization that offers a welcoming space for photographers of all skill levels — from beginners to professionals — to share their work, learn, and connect with others.

The club also offers a popular annual “Leaders and Learners” program where members lead small groups covering specific topics. This year’s program is off to a strong start with seven different interest groups and a number of new participants.

There is no fee to attend meetings or competitions, and new members are always welcome. Members can enter monthly competitions, participate in workshops, attend field trips, engage in community programs, and showcase their work in annual exhibits.

For more information about the club, including meeting dates, a calendar of events, member galleries, workshop details, and how to become a member, visit FlagpolePhotographers.com.